This Week in the Governor’s Office: Week of August 5, 2019

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s chief executive has had a busy week promoting the Show-Me State while overseas.

Last week, Gov. Mike Parson departed for Australia — Missouri’s ninth largest international market with more than $308 million in exports in 2018. Parson will return to Missouri on Saturday.

Visiting Melbourne and Sydney, Parson has met with a variety of infrastructure leaders, worldwide business executives, and government officials.

Treasury Deputy Secretary Kim Curtain and her team gave the Missouri delegation an overview of New South Wales’ commercial assets, key investments, and exports to the U.S. Martin Pakula, Minister for Jobs, Innovation, and Trade, provided a look at job programs and vocational training in the Australian state of Victoria. New South Wales’ Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro talked about trade and the growth of AgTech.

Parson has also met with Sam Sangster the CEO of Western City & Aerotropolis Authority, Scott Carpendale from Boeing Defense Australia, officials from the Macquarie Group, and an array of other business leaders.

The trade mission is funded by the Hawthorn Foundation, a Missouri non-profit organization which facilitates participation by Missouri–based businesses and community leaders in statewide economic development efforts.

Parson also ordered U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at government buildings across the state on Aug. 12, in honor of Rep. Rebecca Roeber, who passed away unexpectedly on July 30.

“We are saddened by the passing of Representative Roeber and offer our sincere condolences to her husband and family,” Parson said in a statement. “Having served five years in the Missouri House and 17 years as an educator, Rebecca was a dedicated public servant with a kind, compassionate heart. She will be truly missed, and we will always remember the difference she made in our state.”

Alisha Shurr is a reporter for the Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine. She joined the Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University. Contact Alisha at alisha@themissouritimes.com.